Tower.



TOWER.

(Application filed Apr. 18, 1899.)

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TOWER.

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W itn ssgs UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES DENIO PIERCE, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY.

TOWER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent no. 642,626, dated February 6, 1900'.

Application filed A fll18,1899. Serial No. 713,465 '(No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES DENIO PIERCE, a citizen of the United States, residing in J ersey City, county of Hudson, and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Towers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to various new and useful improvements in towers composed principally and preferably entirely of metal elements, and the invention relates particularly to towers forming a part of a rig for deep-well drilling and analogous purposes. While my improved tower is specially applicable to this use, it may be effectively employed in other arts and in such other connections as its particular characteristics and advantages may conveniently adapt it.

The objects of my invention are to provide and produce a tower adapted particularly for use as a part of a deep-well-drilling rig which shall be possessed of great rigidity, which will be relatively light, cheap in construction, easily taken down or erected, readily and economically transportable, and of great durability.

In order that my invention may be better understood, attention is directed to the accompanying drawings, forming a partof this specification, and in which- Figure l is a plan View of the base or bed looking down upon the samson-post, but with the bearings for the walking-beam removed;

Fig. 2, a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. llooking toward the rear; Fig. 3, a section on the.

line 3 3 of Fig. 1 looking in the same direction Fig. 4, a section on the line 4. 4 of Fig. 2 looking toward the right; Fig. 5, a section parallel in elevation, illustrating the upper portion of the Samson-post with the bearing, &c.,. for the walking-beam; Fig. 6, a side view of the parts shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7, a front elevation; Fig. 8, a half-section on the line 8 8 of Fig. '7 looking downward; Fig. 9, a perspective view illustrating a complete section of one of the front standards, showing a portion of the adjacent sections above and below. the same, showing also a portion of two of the sections of one of the rear braces, and illustrating also a convenient arrangement of cross-braces for properly strengthening these parts; Fig. 10, a side View; Fig. 11, an elevation of corresponding sections of the two rear braces, showing the cross-braces therefor; Fig. 12, a section on the line 12 12 of Fig. 10 looking downward, showing particularly the shield for the crown-pulley; Fig. 13, an elevation of two sections of one of the standards or of one of the rear braces, showing a hinge with a removable pintle; Fig. 14, a section of corresponding elements, illustrating the employment of a rigid angle-iron for permanently rigidly securing the sections together; Fig. 15, a sectional view showing three sections of one of the standards or legs, illustrating the-employment of two hinges to secure a permanent attachment between such sections; and Fig. 16, a detailed View of the preferred construction of ladder.

In all of the above views corresponding parts are represented by the same numerals of reference.

Referring to the base, it consists of two bot tom side beams 1 and 2, a front bottom beam 3, a back bottom beam 4, and two side upper beams 5 and 6. These are all made,preferably, of angle-irons. The bottom side beams are riveted or bolted to the bottom and front and back beams to constitute a rectangular frame, and upright angles 7 7 are bolted or riveted to the corners of the frame so formed and at their upper ends are bolted to the upper side beams 5 and 6. Preferably the bottom side beams 1 and 2 extend beyond the base proper for the support of a platform immediately surrounding the mouth of the well and from which the drilling operations may be carried out. Preferably the bottom back beam 4 is strengthened by a web 8, riveted to the vertical member of said beam. The vertical angles 7 7 are further strengthened by braces 9 9, riveted thereto and to the front and bottom lower beams 3 and 4. The generally rectangnlar frame formed by the angles 1, 2, 3, and 4 is also stiffened at its corners by braces 10 1O 1O 10, riveted or bolted in place. Extending across the angles 5 and 6 and riveted or bolted to them is a cross-angle 11, arranged at about the location shown. A vertical angle 12 is riveted to the angle 4 and to its brace 8, and an angle 13 is riveted or bolted to the upper end of the angle 12 and to the under side of the horizontal portion of the angle 11. The angle 13 forms a convenient support for the bearings of the several shafts used in the complete apparatus.

\Vhen my improved tower is used, as is preferable, as an elementof adeep-well-drilling rig, the base, frame, or foundation carries a samson-post which carries the walkingbeam. This Samson-post comprises, essentially, two channel-irons 14 and 15, arranged for their major portions in a general A shape, but extending parallel for a portion of their upper extremities. The channel 14 carries a T-iron 16, riveted thereto, and the channel 15 carries a T-iron 17, also riveted thereto. The webs of these Ts 16 and 17 abut or substantially abut together in the portions of their lengths corresponding to the parallel portions of the two channel-irons 14 and 15, and the abutting portions of the webs of said T-irons are secured rigidly in such relation by means of a plate 18, bolted or riveted to said webs, as shown in Fig. 2. Extending across between the horizontal members of the bottom side beams 1 and 2 is an inverted- T beam 19, and the bottom end of each of the channels 14 and 15 is suitably cut away, so as to be set down over said beam. By means of small angles 20 20 the bottom end of each of the channels 14 and 15 is secured rigidly to the side beams 1 and 2. The inverted-T beam 19 serves to strengthen generally the framework and prevents the angles 1 and 2 from spreading. The two channels 14 and 15 extend obliquely upward immediately in front of the angle-iron 11, and they are bolted to the vertical member of said angle-iron, as shown in Fig. 2, whereby a rigid and simple construction of samson-post will be secured. The spreading of the two main members of the Samson-post, as explained, not only materially increases the rigidity of the same, but allows for the passage of a jerk-line between such members freelyand without obstruction. The purpose and use of a jerk-line are well known in the art and need not be referred to in detail. Riveted to the upper end of each channel-iron 14 and 15 is a casting 21, having a cap 22 bolted in place to form a bearing, and mounted in each of said bearings is a boss 23, cast integrally with a plate 24, which is riveted to a plate 25. The plate 25 is riveted to the four angles 26, which constitute a lattice -like walking-beam, the construction of which is obviously simple and of great strength.

Extending up from the foundation, frame, or bed is the tower proper. This tower comprises four main elements-i. 6., two front legs or standards 27 and 28 and two rear braces 29 and 30. These elements are made,

preferably, of angle-irons, the standards being somewhat larger than the rear braces. The two front standards 27 and 28 are riveted or bolted to the forward ends of the two angles 5 and 6 by means of plates 31, and the two back braces 29 and 30 are riveted or bolted to said angles 5 and 6 at preferably about the location shown in Fig. 10 by means of plates 32. The standards 27 and 28 are obliquely extended upward, so as to approach each other at their upper ends, and are also inclined slightly beyond a vertical line extending upward from their base. The back braces 29 and 80 are inclined toward their upper ends and at a greater angle beyond the vertical, as shown, whereby these four elements will constitute the main portions of a towerlike structure which as a whole slightly overleans the vertical, thus permitting the drilling operations or other work to be performed entirely in front of the tower instead of within the same, as is now the case; Each of the standards 27 and 28 is made, preferably, of a numberofsections,depending upon theheight of the tower and upon thecharacter and ex tent of the operations. With the specific instance shown each of these standards is composed of four sections 33, 34, 35, and 36. The back braces 29 and 30 are formed of corresponding sections. The sections and all the back braces may be secured together in any suitable way, depending also largely upon the height of the tower and the degree of rigidity which it shall possess. When very high towers are used or. towers subjected to great strains, the sections of the standards and of the back braces may be secured together by means of angles 37, as shown in Fig. 14, riveted in place and constituting practically permanent couplings, or instead of such arrangement plates 38 may be employed between these sections, bolted or riveted in place, as shown in Fig. 9, either on the outside or on the inside of both or only one of the elements of each section. When towers are erected which are not of great height or which are used for performing light work or which are practically only temporarily installed, it may be desirable to secure the sections of the standards or of the back braces less permanently together, as shown, for example, in Fig. 13. With this form of fastening a heavy hinge 39 connects the adjacent sections, the pintle 40 of each hinge being removable. With this arrangement the upper sect-ion of either standard or of either back brace may be swung downward on the hinge. Afterward the pintle will be removed and said section will be lowered to the ground in any suitable way. The next section below may be operated in the same manner, and so on. When a tower is composed of only two sections,it is obvious thata permanent hinge may be interposed between them, or when made of three sections the arrangement shown in Fig. 15 may be used, wherein the lower and middle sections aresecured togetherby a permanent hinge 41, while the middle and upper sections are secured together by a permanent hinge 42, these hinges being placed on opposite sides of the sections, as shown. With this arrangement it is possible, therefore, to swing the top section downward with respect to the middle wheel shaft.

- of the tower.

section to bring the two sections in parallel-' front sections with respect to each other the I back braces are first removed as far down as the uppermost-hinge, so that the front sec tions will be clear to swing. When the front sections have been thus swung down the back standards or braces are then moved down as far as the second hinge below and a reverse fold takes place. Then without removing the back standards a front fold is produced.-

At the extreme topof the tower in the standards 27 and 28 is carried a crown-pulley 43. A guide-plate 44 is bolted or riveted to the upper portions of the two back braces, as shown, and also the upper section 36 of each of the front standards and is extended in front of the crown-pulley 43, as shown, to form an effective guide for the cable which passes over said crown-pulley and to keep the cable in engagement with theslot in the crown pulley, leaving when the cable is moved considerable angles in either side of the tower, as may happen in some kinds of work. The tower, comprised of essentially the two front standards and the two rear braces, is suitably strengthened by convenient arrangement of cross-braces 45, riveted or bolted across from the two standards 27 and 28 and from either of'said standards to the corresponding back brace on either side Cross-braces 45 may also be extended'between the two rear braces throughout all the sections thereof, although in general practice it is only necessary to use two of these cross-braces extending acrossbetween the two back braces at the second sec tion above the base or foundation, as shown in Fig. 11. either of channel or angle irons secured flat to flat at the point of crossing. Horizontal channels or angles 46 may also be used to properly strengthen the tower, being either riveted or bolted in place. On the front of the tower between the two standards 27 and- 28 and properly bolted orriveted between two of the horizontal channel-irons 46 46 are two angle-irons 47 47, which constitute guides for the forward end of a walking-beam. These guides are preferably curved slightly out ward at their lower ends, as shown, to allow for the passage of the temper-screw, and the walking-beam is tilted to an approximatelyvertical position to clear it of the cable which extends to the crown-pulley and the bull- The lower horizontal channels or angles 46, to which the braces 47 are secured, constitute an effective substitute for the ordinary dead-head post to prevent the walking-beam fromdescending forcibly if for any reason the connection between it and the crank-shaft is broken.

Carried by the tower, near its upper end, and in the present instance by the sections 35 of each of the standards or legs, is an angle The cross-braces 45 are formed 48, having arms 49, bent in form to constitute a bracket. This angle is bolted to each of the standards 27 and 28 and is further strengthened by means of small angles 50, riveted between it and said standards, as shown in-Fig. 8. If desired, the arms 49 of this bracket may carry a platform (not shown) for the operator. The important use, however, of this bracket is to sustain on the outside of the tower the tools, sucker-rods, or other appliances instead of requiring the support of such appliances within the tower, as is now common. In order to support these tools, sucker-rods, or other appliances at intermediate points, a second bracket 51 is secured to the standards in the same way, but with a less distance between its arms, as shown. If desired, also two-of the horizontal channels 46 may be extended outward at 2, as shown, whereby any sucker rods, tools, or other appliances maybe set up in front of the tower to rest against either of the channels 52 and the arms of the brackets 48' or 51, so as .to be effectively supported.

Near the top of the tower is bolted an'angle 53, which offers a convenient support for the workman in oiling the crown-pulley or in other operations, and said angle may also support the pulley for the sand-pump line. If desired, a back brace 54 may beemployed to further increase the rigidity of the samsonpost, said brace extending'between the channels 14 or 15 to the angle 13 and bolted or riveted in place.

I show a ladder 55 secured to the tower to enable the workman to reach its upper part for any desired purpose. Referring to Fig. 16, the side pieces of the ladder are made in' sections, so as to be portable, said sections being secured together by plates 56, riveted or bolted, or both, to the sections. The ladder is secured to the tower by means of angles 57, bolted to the cross-braces 46.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. The combination with a supporting-bed or foundation, of a metal tower composedof front and rear elements and suitable crossbraces, the whole constitutinga light, strong,

skeleton frame, and the tower leaning over the perpendicular, and a U-shaped or open bracket carried by the tower on its front portion, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with a metallic base or bed formed of parallel side foundation-beams l and 2 and supplemental foundation-beams 5 and 6 supported above the same and parallel therewith, whereby a box-like foundation will be obtained, of a samson-post composed of two channel-irons arranged in a general A shape supported at its bottom on the foundation-beams 1 and 2, and a cross-brace 11 carried by the foundation-beams 5 and 6 and secured to the legs of said samson-post, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with a metallic base or bed, of a Samson-post carried thereby and composed of two channel-irons arranged in a general A shape with parallel upper portions,

substantially as set forth.

4. The combination with a metallic base or bed, of a samson-post carried thereby and composed of two channel-irons arranged in a general A shape with parallel upper portions, and two T-irons secured to said channels, with a plate connecting the abutting surfaces of the webs of said Ts, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with two bottom side beams formed of angle-irons, an inverted-T beam connecting said side beams, a samsonpost formed of two channels fitting over said T-beam, and angles connecting the lower end of each channel-iron with said side beams, substantially as set forth. p

6. The combination with two bottom side beams formed of angle-irons, an inverted-T beam connecting said side beams, a samsonpost formed of two channels fitting over said T-beam, angles connecting the lower end of each channel-iron with said side beams, two upper side beams, connections between the same and the lower side beams, and a crossangle connected to the upper side beams and 4 642,626 I V p a riveted to said channel-irons, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination with a samsonpost formed of two channel-irons, two castings carried by the upper ends of said channelirons, bosses 23 mounted in said castings and formed integrally with plates 24, and a plate riveted between the plates 24 and connected to the elements of a walking-beam, substantially as set forth.

8. A base or bed for a tower, comprising the'two bottom side angles, the bottom front and back angles bolted or riveted to said side angles, the top side angles, vertical angles connecting the bottom side angles with the top side angles, cross-braces 9 and 10, an angle 11 riveted to the top side angles, a supporting-angle 12 riveted to the back bottom angle and an angle 13 riveted to the angle 12 and to the cross-angle 11, substantially as set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this 27th day of March, 1899.

CHARLES DENIO PIERCE. 

